Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life's coming attractions. – Albert Einstein

Friday, April 3, 2015 (DAY 1,124)I thought about writing about a more lighthearted topic, that may help connect me more with my readers–both that know me personally and those that have gotten to know me through either my travel blog or in-person as travelers themselves, plus some of these interesting facts about myself, Troy Hendershott, may even be surprises to those that have known me for years. So without further delay, here is a list of 14 interesting facts that you may or may not have known about me–the man, the myth, the legend!

1. WORKED AT GLAMOUR SHOTSⓇ

Yes, believe it or not, when I was 16-years-old, I had a friend in high school that had an older sister that worked as an assistant manager for Glamour ShotsⓇand even though technically you had to be 18 to work for this company, somehow I was able to get a job as a photographer for several months....definitely a 90s fad.

2. PURCHASED A HOUSE AT 20

I purchased the my first home when I was only 20-years-old! Yes, for international friends I was able to purchased a home before I could drink legally in the U.S. which is 21-years-old (many international friends still find that crazy as most countries drinking age is around 18). Even the previous owners were shocked at my age!

3. PLAYED IN A BAND

4. FEAR OF HEIGHTS

Growing up in the 90s, social media wasn't an option, but creativity was! Since one of our favorite bands was Weezer and MxPx my friends and I had a stereotypical garage band where we actually played shows consistently around Denver and even the state of Colorado. When I left the band to move to Michigan for my senior year of high school, the band continued and even did a short tour in Europe. Unfortunately, it no longer exists, and sadly my ability to play bass–has left me faster than Ralph Wiggum ditching you for a stuffed animal parade!

As adventurous as I may seem to be through this lifestyle of a global traveler and international man of mystery, I have ALWAYS had a fear of heights! This is something I continue to work on, but it's still something that some people know about me and some don't. I suppose to balance out the text, I will also share that I also hate raisins. This has gone back to even when I was a baby. My mom told me that I would sit there meticulously and pick out raisins if they were in anything, and even to this day I have a dislike for raisins. YUCK!

5. ALMOST CUT-OFF MY PINKIE

When I was about seven-years-old, I was playing at a nextdoor neighbor's house and while we were playing I tripped and fell into a window wellwhere my neighbor had a previously broken window but replaced it and I guess they did not get all of the broken glass out, and therefore, I ALMOST lost my pinkie! 3/4 from of the top half of my pinkie was dangling and I could see the exposed bone! HORRIFYING right?!

7. EXPERIENCED 2nd-DEGREE BURNS

Just after giving my notice to my company that I would be leaving to travel round the world, a few days before American Thanksgiving I dropped a boiling pot of water on my foot and experienced second-degree burns, which I stupidly refused to go to the hospital because I didn't want to pay the $500 deductable and chose to rather wait until Monday when my general physican's office was open. She of course chastised me for not going to the hospital immediately AND was amazed that I was able to handle the pain by only taking over-the-counter aspirin for the pain.

9. COLLECTED POGS

Yup as a child of the 90s, most people have never even heard ofPogs, but I collected them, stored them, and was always on the lookout for the "BEST" slammer! These cardboard circular pieces with random designs were a must-have item for an extremely brief period of time while in middle school, and I remember that there was even a shop nearby the school that was solely dedicated to Pogs!

6. INTERVIEWED A CONGRESSMAN

Working in broadcast television I got used to being around various celebrities, mainly professional athletes, but one time I was asked if I wanted to operate camera in our studio for a CNNⓇ interview and this person came in and as we got to talking had no idea, until I heard through my headset with the producer or director at CNN when they said, "Good morning congressman, Tancredo."

8. NEVER SHOT A GUN

Surprisingly or not, when I meet and talk with other international people and tell them that I'm an American–good or bad–the first thing for them that comes to mind is guns! That's unfortunately, on an international news or stereotype or whatever you want to call it, the United States is known for...GUNS! And, therefore surprisingly I have never shot a gun, and many people are surprised at this fact. I suppose maybe it's about time I impose my Second-Amendment right to keep and bear arms in celebrating 'Murica by shooting off a few rounds from any type of gun!

10. NEW CAR & NEW MOTORCYCLE

Foolishly when I was between the ages of 18 and 19-years-old I purchased both a brand new Nissan Xterra and a brand new Honda CBR-F4i, which I loved them both, and even though I could relatively afford both, I calculated with monthly payments and insurance, I was paying nearly $1,000 a month to own these vehicles and this was without even placing gasoline (petrol) in them and driving them!

11. HIKED A VOLCANO AND THE HIGHEST POINT OF A COUNTRY

One of the most adventurous AND strenuous experiences I've taken part in was an arduous 13-hour round-trip hike to the top of Volcano Baru (en español, Volcán Barú). Not only was this an overnight hike that began about midnight in order to reach the summit at sunrise. The 13.7km (8.5 miles) brought us to the highest point in all of Panama at an altitude of 3,474 metres (11,398 ft). Milestones, friends, milestones.

12. WORKED 500-PLUS SPORT EVENTS

Throughout my 12-year professional career in broadcast television, my primary full-time job was with HDNet (now AXSTV), but I also continued to work as a television production freelancer, both because this was an extra income, but also I have a love for sports, so combining the two was a no-brainer. Some people haven't realized that I have worked over 500 live sporting events for every major sport.

13. ORGANIZED A 22-PERSON SNOWBOARDING TRIP

I believe it was about two-years before leaving in 2012 on this amazing journey that has lasted more than 3-years, but not only do I have an amazing group of friends both in Colorado and throughout the States, but typically each year either Jesse or myself would organize a big trip for all of us, and this particular year, which was our biggest, I was able to organize a 22-person snowboarding/ski trip in Colorado where I had to organize; transportation, accommodation, groceries, drinks, etc. and etc. Also, we had people flying in from California, Ohio, Washington State, Arizona, Florida, and Georgia. Therefore, you can only imagine the complexities, but also the hilarious times we all had!

14. KOBE BRYANT FELL ON TOP OF ME!

Throughout my career working in television–working numerous NBA games, some may remember the Kobe Bryant trial in Colorado when he was accused of rape (circa 2003), well I believe if memory serves me correctly, the first regular season home game for the Denver Nuggets was against the Los Angeles Lakers and at one point in the game Kobe Bryant fell on top of me, where the director started yelling–asking me, "Was that Kobe that just fell on you, was it Kobe?" After he got off of me, I jokingly said, "Yeah it was, and I told him, get off me rapists!" Which, of course everyone started laughing. Good memories working in sports television for sure, never a dull moment. And this is a story that a lot of people find to be amazing.

About the Author

My name is Troy and I gave up a promising 12-year career to travel the world! Now after more than 4-years of continuous global travel, I've lived an incredible life and my goal is to inspire others to achieve their dreams!